Bridging the Gap: Accessing Eye Care in Rural Areas

More than one billion people globally experience vision loss, and this number continues to rise. Good vision is essential to our overall quality of life yet accessing eye care is a significant challenge in rural areas. With a substantial number of the world’s population living in these regions, making eye health services accessible to them is vital.

In North America and Europe alone, over 150 million people live in rural areas. Out of these, around 1.3 million individuals are affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic macular edema (DME). Without accessible eye care, these people face delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options, putting their vision and quality of life at greater risk.

To understand the barriers to eye care in rural areas, Roche explored why people struggle to access essential therapies and what could change that. Through conversations with people living with retinal conditions and their doctors across the US, Canada, Spain and Italy, Roche identified key challenges and potential solutions. 

Many individuals are unable to drive after procedures due to vision impairment, relying heavily on family, friends, or caregivers for support.

Socioeconomic factors also play a role, as rural populations are often financially disadvantaged and less likely to have adequate health insurance—especially in the US—compared to those in urban areas.

In Northern Ontario, a mobile eye care clinic known as thehas been traveling to rural and remote communities for over fifty years. Run by Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada (VLRC) and the Canadian National Institute of the Blind (CNIB) and supported by Roche Canada, the Eye Van provides essential eye exams, treatments and minor surgeries. More than 25 ophthalmologists contribute their time each year to reach people who otherwise wouldn't get the care they need.

Roche Canada has also piloted nurse eye care support, and connected people affected by eye conditions/retinal diseases to local transportation and community resources. The goal was to help individuals better understand their conditions and access available services. Results show that people in rural areas used these transportation and community services more than those in large cities.

As part of our population health efforts to reach rural patients, Roche is also conducting several additional implementation science experiments to remove barriers to care for rural populations. In Brazil, for instance, we’re exploring how transportation impacts rural breast cancer patients. In the US, we’re testing several digital solutions to help patients better understand and manage their disease remotely.

The power of partnerships is evident in initiatives like these. By collaborating with other organisations, we hope to make quality eye care a reality for everyone, no matter where they live. We’re always eager to welcome new ideas and partners to join us in supporting rural patients.

Find out more about what Roche is doing in Ophthalmology